Attachment and relationship satisfaction among first married, remarried, and post-divorce relationships

This study examined relationship satisfaction and adult attachment in a sample of 562 participants: 340 in a first marriage (60.5%); 122 separated/divorced from their first spouse (21.7%); and 100 in a second marriage (17.8%). For participants in a relationship (dating or married), findings indicated no differences between groups on relationship satisfaction; instead, attachment served as a better predictor of satisfaction. Further, no differences existed when comparing first- and second-married participants on attachment. Differences existed between separated/divorced participants and first- and second-married participants on most attachment indexes; similarities existed between separated/divorce and second-married participants on levels of preoccupation and model of self. When comparing non-dating and dating separated/divorced participants, dating participants reported higher secure attachment and models of others and lower fearful attachment. Clinical and research implications will be discussed.